Ninety One has recruited Stephanie Niven from Aviva Investors as it looks to broaden its pipeline of global sustainable funds.
Niven (pictured) joins as a portfolio manager in the fund group’s thematic equity team, which sits in its multi-asset division. From there she will spearhead the development of Ninety One’s global sustainable equity offering.
Ninety One said Niven’s appointment is a boon for the team’s sustainable investment credits and underscores its belief that “companies which respond successfully to global sustainability challenges will outperform over time”.
Currently it has one dedicated sustainable investing strategy for UK clients, Deirdre Cooper and Graeme Baker’s Ninety One Global Environment fund. The Oeic has seen assets balloon to £1.1bn since launch in December 2019 after a bumper 2020 in which it returned 47.8% versus the IA Global’s 15.3%.
See also: Deirdre Cooper: ‘The decarbonisation journey is literally just starting’
“The broadening of our global sustainable equity offering will be another milestone in Ninety One’s drive to put sustainability at the core of our business,” Ninety One co-chief investment officer Mimi Ferrini said.
“Stephanie shares our vision for developing the firm’s sustainable investing capabilities, and her sustainable investing philosophy is absolutely aligned to ours.”
Niven has over 16 years’ experience, including six years at Tesco Pension Investments as a global equity portfolio manager, as well as roles at Javelin Capital and Goldman Sachs, where she started her career.
In May 2019 she was promoted to a named manager on the Aviva Investors Global Equity Endurance fund. The £336.1m Oeic version of the fund has returned 57.1% since launch compared to the IA Global average of 40.7%.
She is also a member of the board of trustees for Humanism UK and the COIF Charity Funds.
Niven said she is excited to join Ninety One and build on the firm’s progress in developing sustainable investment solutions.
“Ninety One is clearly committed to sustainability with substance. We have a compelling opportunity to develop sustainable global equity capabilities with a differentiated approach to understanding externalities and how culture leads to sustainable competitive advantages.
“Our aim is to meet investors’ financial needs and contribute to positive environmental and social progress, while minimising negative impacts.”
